Gao Wu: I'll enjoy the benefits, but you'll bear the side effects.

After listening to these words quietly, Gao Jie felt a slight stirring in his heart. He pondered them carefully and felt that the suggestion was indeed quite good.

After all, we've been through many hardships together, so we can be considered to have shared weal and woe.

At times like these, going out for a meal and having a heart-to-heart talk can effectively enhance relationships and bring people closer together.

But now a very real problem is right in front of us: where should we go to eat?

Gao Jie looked around in confusion, but the surrounding environment didn't seem to offer any particularly suitable place.

There are either small convenience stores or rather, rather simple food stalls here.

None of these seem to satisfy their desire to have a proper meal together and relax and chat.

Gao Jie was puzzled because he had never mentioned where they were eating. However, at that moment, Xu Rourou smiled slightly and then calmly took out her phone.

It turns out that this clever young lady had already picked out a place to eat in advance and had a suitable place in mind.

Upon learning of this, Gao Jie was very pleased, and a relieved smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

"Then let's not just stand here doing nothing, we need to get moving as soon as possible. After we eat, we can go back and rest early, today has been quite a tiring day."

As Gao Jie spoke, he stretched his slightly sore limbs.

"To be honest, I'm exhausted today. What are you looking at?"

Gao Jie looked at Huang Muran with a puzzled expression, only to see Huang Muran staring intently outside, his focused expression seeming rather strange.

What on earth is out there that's so captivating?

Hearing Gao Jie's words, Huang Muran slowly withdrew his gaze, his eyes filled with a complex and indescribable expression.

"It's nothing. I just saw a guy who looks a lot like Hou Agui on the other side. He kept staring at us, like he was following us."

Is this world really that strange?

Gao Jie was also puzzled when he heard this. He really didn't understand what was going on!

Gao Jie pondered to himself, thinking that everyone must have been too tired today, both physically and mentally exhausted, to the point that they were hallucinating.

Moreover, Hou Agui has already been left there forever, so how could he possibly stand up for no reason?

This is completely illogical.

So he immediately raised his voice and said.

"Let's leave it at that for today. We can have dinner another day. I think everyone's tired enough, so those who are in a rush should go home first. Take a good shower and rest when you get home, and we can discuss other plans after these next couple of days."

Hearing him say that, everyone felt that there was some truth to it.

Xu Rourou and Huang Muran walked to the school gate together, but instead of going straight back, they headed towards the small supermarket next door to buy something.

On the contrary, Gao Jie and Huang Xu dragged their exhausted bodies straight back to their dormitory.

Upon entering the dormitory, the two seemed to have all their energy drained away. Exhausted, they didn't want to say anything, collapsed onto the bed, and fell asleep instantly.

They slept so soundly that they were completely unaware of what was happening around them, as if the whole world had temporarily isolated them.

After Huang Muran and Xu Rourou returned, they only chatted briefly.

However, Huang Muran always spoke haltingly, as if he had something on his mind and was unwilling to explain himself clearly.

This unusual behavior immediately caught Xu Rourou's attention. She frowned slightly and walked straight toward Huang Muran with a heart full of doubt.

"Don't go to sleep yet. I have something I want to ask you. Why didn't you speak clearly just now? What exactly happened?"

Xu Rourou stared intently at Huang Muran, her tone carrying an urgent tone that left no room for refusal.

"Why don't you tell me in detail?"

Hearing this, Huang Muran scratched his face awkwardly, realizing that there were some things he really shouldn't say.

However, the girl's questioning was so urgent that he couldn't keep up.

Huang Muran sighed helplessly and slowly began to speak.

"Why are you asking so many questions? You need to understand that some things you can't ask casually, and some things you need an answer to before you can ask. Don't you understand that? But since you insist on figuring it out, I'll tell you the truth. Something is definitely not right now, and I just realized it myself. Of course, I mean maybe I'm not saying it correctly..."

Xu Rourou's expectant expression instantly changed; she had a feeling that Huang Muran knew something very important.

However, Huang Muran's ambiguity left her completely unsure of what Huang Muran actually knew.

Her mind was shrouded in a fog, filled with doubt and unease. She could only stare intently at Huang Muran, waiting for his further explanation.

"What are you doing? What exactly do you mean? Explain yourself clearly, okay?"

When Huang Muran heard Xu Rourou's question, his brows furrowed slightly, his face full of solemnity, and he couldn't help but sigh deeply.

That sigh seemed to contain endless worry and confusion.

"Actually, I noticed something was wrong a long time ago. Think about it carefully. Just because your dad seems to have some control over this matter, do you think even if Hou Youcai is powerful, he would dare to disobey your dad's orders?"

Huang Muran's eyes held a sharp glint, as if he could see through the layers of mystery hidden behind it all.

In this complex situation, Huang Muran seems to be a rare example of human clarity.

Recalling Xu Wenfeng's appearance and aura when he appeared, his dignified and unquestionable demeanor had already decided everything.

Hou Youcai, who was usually so fierce and domineering, was like a docile sheep in front of Xu Wenfeng, his fear evident in his words.

Even if the relationship between the two is not ordinary, their behavior should not be so unequal.

Therefore, in Huang Muran's view, there must be something very strange about this matter.

All of this is not as simple as it seems on the surface. It appears that some invisible and powerful force is silently supporting it from behind, like an invisible net that envelops everyone.

Huang Muran is indeed exceptionally intelligent; her keen eyes have indeed spotted crucial issues that others have overlooked.

It was clearly Hou Youcai who initially acted on his own initiative, but later it was discovered that Hou Agui had been secretly working for Xu Wenfeng. This sudden change was too abrupt and made people suspicious.

Now, all the carefully planned things have been unexpectedly ruined by these young people. It's only natural that Xu Wenfeng is furious, after all, anyone would be angry if their plans were disrupted.

Huang Muran pondered to himself, feeling that there must be some deeper connection between Xu Wenfeng and the Hou family. However, he would probably have to investigate in depth to find out what that connection was in order to truly understand the mystery.

However, Huang Muran did not make his words completely clear, perhaps because he had some concerns, or perhaps because he did not want Xu Rourou to fall into this complicated vortex too early.

Then she pretended to be tired and said she was sleepy.

Seeing Huang Muran's appearance, Xu Rourou still had doubts, but she didn't press him further and got up to return to her seat.

Before long, both of them had fallen into a deep sleep.

However, Huang Muran felt as if she were carrying a heavy weight in her heart, something weighing on her mind. Having nearly lost her life in that harrowing experience today, how could she easily give up on finding out what had happened?

Moreover, the current situation is far more complicated than she initially imagined, like a huge maze where every passage hides unknown dangers and secrets.

Huang Muran lay in bed, a wave of worry washing over her. She was truly concerned; what if the other party was after her life?

Hou Youcai is such a treacherous and cunning fellow. What if he finds an opportunity to secretly attack me again? How should I deal with that?

These terrifying thoughts kept swirling in her mind, making it difficult for her to fall asleep.

So, with that thought in mind, the young girl stopped hesitating and stopped considering it. Knowing that time was of the essence, she immediately decided to go and verify it as soon as possible.

Before dawn, while the world was still shrouded in darkness and silence, Huang Muran quietly got up, quickly tidied himself up, and resolutely set off.

She had only one belief in her mind: she had to find out whether Xu Wenfeng was a hidden mastermind behind this whole thing.

Furthermore, if not, is Xu Rourou doing anything behind the scenes?

All these questions burned like a fire in her heart, driving her to seek the truth at all costs.

Around 4 a.m., the night was still dark. The girl quietly left her dormitory, hailed a taxi, and sped towards the mysterious and dangerous villa.

Throughout the journey, she felt both nervous and excited, with various possible scenarios constantly flashing through her mind.

When she returned to the villa, what she saw there was something she could hardly believe.

Hou Youcai was not only fine, but at around 4 o'clock he was still leisurely drinking with Xu Wenfeng.

Upon seeing this, Huang Muran instantly understood.

The two of them must have done something shady behind the scenes, and their current state is simply a celebration.

Just then, Huang Muran, who was caught off guard, suddenly felt a hand quickly cover her mouth from behind. She tried to struggle, but was easily dragged into the room by a powerful force.

Immediately afterwards, she saw Xu Wenfeng's dignified yet puzzled face.

Xu Wenfeng stared intently at the girl in front of him, his eyes full of confusion.

"Little girl, I'm really curious, why are you following us like this? What do you want?"

Xu Wenfeng's voice was deep and cold, as if it could penetrate one's soul.

"If you're really curious about us, you can simply ask us directly, 'Why do you always like to pull these little tricks? Tell us.'"

Huang Muran's body trembled slightly. Listening to Xu Wenfeng's words, her heart pounded wildly in her chest. The tension overwhelmed her like a surging tide, leaving her mind blank and completely unaware of the desperate situation she was in.

Xu Wenfeng's face was terribly gloomy, like the sky before a storm. His originally peaceful face was now extremely ugly, as if shrouded in a thick haze.

"This is outrageous! You come to my turf and act like this? Don't you even respect me?"

His voice was filled with barely suppressed anger; every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, cold and menacing.

"I initially thought you were just a bunch of young people and didn't need to be paid too much attention, but don't you think you've made things ugly?"

As he spoke, he slowly approached Huang Muran, his relentless advance making Huang Muran feel as if a mountain was pressing down on him.

"Little girl, what did you just see?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous glint in them, as if he wanted to see through Huang Muran's eyes to her soul and uncover the secrets in her heart.

Hou Youcai, standing to the side, revealed a ferocious expression. His fierce gaze was fixed on Huang Muran. In his eyes, this arrogant little girl was definitely a big problem.

"Maybe she didn't even leave that night. We absolutely can't let this little girl stay."

He said viciously, without a trace of pity in his tone, as if Huang Muran was nothing more than an ant that he could crush at will.

Hou Youcai's eyes revealed an impatient killing intent; he was already plotting how to eliminate this threat without anyone noticing.

After hearing Hou Youcai's words, Xu Wenfeng did not immediately express his opinion. He simply stood there quietly, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

When Hou Youcai saw that Xu Wenfeng did not object, he assumed that he had received tacit approval, so he took it upon himself to extend his hand to Huang Muran.

The hand, like a demon's claw, looked particularly sinister and terrifying in the dim light, moving step by step toward Huang Muran's throat.

Huang Muran's fate seemed to be swallowed by darkness at this moment, his life hanging by a thread.